NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday announced full 24/7 service on the Staten Island Ferry will be returning this summer.
The service will resume its pre-pandemic schedule on August 16, allowing commuters to travel between Staten Island and Manhattan every 30 minutes.
Currently, the ferries were only running hourly during the overnight hours.
“Fast, reliable, and frequent transit options are at the core of Staten Island’s recovery, and I’m proud to work with Commissioner Gutman and Borough President Oddo to deliver the ferry service this borough deserves,” said Mayor de Blasio. “From essential workers, to office employees, to young people enjoying a late night out, New Yorkers have a thousand reasons to celebrate half-hour service. It’s a sure sign that we’re building a recovery for all of us.”
The mayor added that the ferry service is “crucial” in connecting Staten Islanders with Manhattan as the five boroughs continue to reopen.
Staten Island Ferry service was reduced to just once every hour in March 2020, when ridership plummeted as the pandemic ravaged New York State.
Prior to the return of 24/7 service, the Department of Transportation plans to hire and train new personnel required for the additional trips.
In 2019, the mayor’s office noted that the Staten Island Ferry moved 70,000 passengers every weekday and 22 million people per year.
Stay informed, stay connected — follow WCBS 880 on Facebook and Twitter. Listen live to WCBS 880 Newsradio.